They stumbled toward the water amidst heavy breathing and soft moans. Breaking their kiss, Aidan swept his hand behind her head to her hair clip.
“May I?”
Beth nodded.
Aidan released the clip and put it in his pocket, freeing her wavy tresses. He pulled his fingers from root to tip. “You’re the most beautiful woman in the entire world.”
“Well, maybe on this beach.” Beth gave him a witty smile. They were the only people in the area.
Aidan shook his head. “If you could see yourself right now, you wouldn’t correct me.”
Blushing, Beth focused on the water. Aidan rested his chin on the top of her head and she nestled against him, unable to find the words to tell him how incredible he really was.
“The ocean is so calming,” she said, relishing the Pacific’s salty spray. “Perhaps we can go swimming together on a warmer day.”
Aidan pulled away. Beth wrapped her arms around herself and scanned the shoreline, enthralled by the energy flowing from the tide. She heard shuffling beside her and discovered Aidan removing his shoes and socks.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Why wait for a warmer day?” He rolled up his pants to his knees.
“Won’t the water be cold?”
Aidan flashed a dazzling grin. “You better believe it, baby.”
Beth unfastened the straps of her heels and removed them, following his lead. As he inched closer, she backed up toward the water, turned on by his enticing gaze.
“I bet you can’t catch me!” With a teasing smile, she dashed toward the ocean. When she hit the cold water, she gasped but still plunged in further.
Beth shrieked with delight as Aidan captured her in his arms and showered her with kisses. The moonlit water splashed up to her knees and played with her dress, its frigidness and her beau’s tender embrace taking her breath away.
“I’d follow you to the ends of the earth, little dove. Across any ocean.” Aidan brushed his lips to her ear. “I love you.”
She tightened her arms around him. “I love you, too.”
The waves calmed as they shared a sensual kiss and waded back to shore.
When their bare feet met dry sand, Aidan draped his arm over her shoulders and rubbed his hand up and down her arm. “We’ll leave now so you can warm up.”
“Can’t we stay a little longer?” Beth regarded him hopefully.
“Sure. But if the cold becomes too much, let me know. We have all the time in the world to come back to the beach.”
Beth nestled into his side. “I promise I will.”
As they walked along the beach, they came across a large stick lying on the ground. Aidan picked it up and traced something in the sand. When he was finished, he stepped back and took Beth’s hand. She read his moonlit message, which he surrounded with a heart.
Aidan Loves Beth Forever
March 1954
Aidan dropped his gaze to the ground. “I know it’s silly, but if I could etch those words in stone on this beach, I would. That way they’d remain here forever, instead of being washed away by the tide or destroyed by footprints.”
Beth touched his cheek. “That isn’t silly at all. It’s a beautiful sentiment.”
“I will spend the rest of my days trying to be worthy of your love.”
“You’re worthy,” she whispered. “So very worthy.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, Beth took charge and brought their lips together. She needed him to feel the truth behind her words—to feel how much she loved him—so he would never doubt himself when it came to their relationship.
Tugging at clothing and hair, they staggered away from the water, never breaking their kiss. Aidan held her close until a colder wind moved in and then suggested again that they leave to warm up. Beth agreed this time. He took her hand, and they strolled leisurely back down the beach to his motorcycle.
On their walk, Beth came up with an idea to manage the cool weather in the meantime.
“Aidan?”
He stopped walking. “Yeah?”
She dropped his hand, a large smile gracing her face. “I’ll race you.”
And with those words, she was off, holding the bottom of her wet gown in her hands to make her departure swifter.
Aidan called after her playfully. She quickened her pace, her heart pounding in concert with every footprint she left behind.
With their clothes and Oscars in sight, Beth stopped running and dropped her gown, allowing the bottom to sweep the sand again. Aidan skidded to a halt before her.
Panting, their eyes wide with mischief, they locked in a tantalizing standoff, each one waiting for the other to make a move.
Aidan took the initiative. He crouched down, ready to pounce. “Do you have any idea how much I want to kiss you right now?”
Beth’s reply was more of a plea than a challenge: “Then come and get me.”
Aidan lunged and captured her in his arms, his hands grazing her body in all the right places. As he kissed her, she pushed against him, feeling the swell of him between her legs.
Tangled in their ardent embrace, they collapsed onto the beach, Aidan coming down on top of her. He threaded his hand into her hair, cushioning her as she lowered her head to the sand.
As his lips brushed her neck, Beth cupped his arousal over his pants. Aidan moaned and flipped onto his back, pulling her on top of him. Her knees pressed into the sand on either side of his body as she moved against him, her rational thoughts dissipating as her pleasure took the reins.
Aidan’s hands found her breasts. Beth gasped and arched her back, looking up at the starry sky. Her thoughts roamed to the important item inside her purse. And it wasn’t her Harry Winston jewels.
Their lips reunited. Then Aidan was on top of her again, placing his lips to her neck. With each kiss, Beth’s thoughts became clearer. She struggled to voice her decision through her ragged breaths.
“Aidan, wait.”
He stopped kissing her immediately and straightened his arms, pushing away from her. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
Beth pushed his sand-speckled hair back from his forehead, the corners of her mouth lifted in a confident smile. “I’m ready.”
His eyes widened. “You mean…?”
“Make love to me, Aidan.”
He brushed his fingers to her cheek. “I didn’t pressure you in any way tonight, did I? I need to know the decision is yours and yours alone.”
Beth shook her head. “You didn’t pressure me at all. I love you, and I’m certain I don’t want to wait any longer. That is, if you want me…”
“Baby, of course I want you.” He graced her with a kiss and leapt to his feet, brushing the sand from his clothes.
Beth looked at him quizzically as he helped her stand, too. “Where are we going?”
Aidan held her close and kissed her forehead. “Please allow me take you to my house. I want to make love to you for the first time in my bed.”
Beth’s smile returned. “I’d like that very much. And, um, in case you’re wondering, I have my diaphragm in my purse…” Her face flushed with her admission.
Aidan chuckled. “You brought your diaphragm to the Academy Awards?”
She giggled. “Yes.”
Aidan took her hand, humor alight with the longing in his eyes. “You’re lucky you didn’t tell me earlier or else we never would’ve made it through the ceremony.”
The wind blew most of the sand from Beth’s hair and gown as they drove away from the beach with all clothes and Oscars accounted for. Although they rushed through the initial part of their journey, when they pulled into Aidan’s driveway, he took his time leading her inside the house.
Upon their entry into the darkened foyer, Aidan tossed his suit jacket to the floor and brought his lips to hers. They walked down the hallway to his bedroom, kissing fervently, making only one pit stop for him to disconnect the telephone from the wall.
Kicking his leg out behin
d him, Aidan opened his bedroom door and pulled her inside. Their Oscars hit the floor. Beth placed her purse on the nightstand and tugged his tie from his collar, tossing it aside as well.
While she was confident in her decision to lose her virginity to Aidan tonight, her heart hammered with anxiety. She was concerned she might do something wrong and disappoint him, but she didn’t want to say anything and risk ruining the moment.
Aidan’s lips covered hers as he unfastened his cufflinks and dropped them to the floor. Their shoes were off next, along with his socks. Setting her concerns aside, Beth reached behind her back for the zipper of her gown.
Aidan stopped her with a gentle grip on her hip. “Please, allow me.”
She dropped her arms to her sides.
Aidan turned her around and gathered her hair, draping it forward over her shoulder. He grazed his lips across her neck as he lowered her zipper slowly. The gown slipped from her shoulders and pooled at her feet.
Aidan’s gaze swept her slipcovered body. “You’re absolutely perfect.”
With the reappearance of her blush, he took her hand and kissed it reassuringly.
Beth ran her other hand down his chest. “May I remove your shirt?”
“Baby, you can do whatever you want to me,” he said roughly.
Within seconds, the garment was on the floor. As they kissed, Beth fumbled with his belt and the button on his pants. His trousers dropped, replaced by the bulge of his erection straining under his briefs. Time stood still as he brushed his hands up her arms to her shoulders and found the thin straps of her slip.
“Wait.”
He pulled away at once. “Am I moving too fast?”
“No, it’s not that.” Beth lowered her gaze. “I have to put in my diaphragm.”
Aidan tucked her hair behind her ears. “You can use the bathroom. I’ll wait for you here.”
Beth gathered her purse and made her way down the hallway. Inside the bathroom, she placed her purse on the counter and braced her hands on either side of the sink, studying her reflection in the mirror. Her messy hair rivaled Aidan’s, except the tangled, sandy style looked wonderful on him and ridiculous on her. She patted it down as best as she could and reached for her purse.
She inserted her diaphragm easily, as she had practiced several times since her purchase, and left the bathroom with her empty case and purse in hand.
Aidan stood by the bedroom window, staring pensively out into the darkness. He parted the drapes enough to let in a sliver of moonlight, which cast an enchanting beam of silver across his handsome face and muscular body.
When he noticed her, he let go of the curtains and crossed the room, still fully erect under his briefs. “Is everything okay?”
Beth set her belongings on the nightstand and met him at the foot of the bed. “Yes.”
Aidan pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead, his hands drifting up her back and coming to rest on her shoulders. Slowly, he lowered the straps of her slip. The garment fell to the floor, leaving her standing before him in nothing but her brassiere, garter, hosiery, and panties. His eyes traveled down her body once before he advanced again.
Beth threw her head back as he kissed her chest and worked the clasp of her bra simultaneously. The undergarment was unhooked quickly and tossed aside, along with her hosiery and garter.
Aidan rolled his tongue over her taut nipples before taking turns covering each one with his lips and sucking gently. Beth shivered and perspired at the same time. He kissed her cleavage and slipped his hand beneath her panties. As he parted and entered her with his finger, her legs shook and her moans increased in pitch. She wrapped her arms around his neck, dropping her lips to his right shoulder.
Aidan fell to his knees, lowering her panties to her ankles and allowing her to step out of them. He kissed her stomach and trailed his hand up her thigh as she weaved her fingers through his hair. When he slipped his finger inside of her again, she whimpered, teetering on the brink of her release.
A second finger followed.
Beth gasped. “Please, I need you.”
Aidan rose to his feet. Beth wasted no time and pulled down his briefs. His arousal sprung toward her, large and rigid. She allowed him to lead her to the bed. When the back of her knees hit the mattress, she took him in her hand.
He grasped her wrist gently, halting her first stroke. “You do that, baby, and I’m gonna finish very soon.”
Beth let go of him. “I’m sorry.”
Aidan shook his head. “Don’t be. I just want everything to be perfect for you.”
“Um… all right.”
“What’s wrong? If you’re having second thoughts, it’s okay.”
Her eyes widened. “No, not at all.”
Aidan brought his arms around her waist. “Then what is it? Anything you want from me, I’ll do it.”
“Can you open the window?” She peered at him sheepishly. “I’m feeling kind of hot.”
Aidan grinned. “Sure.”
He placed a kiss to her lips and left to do her bidding. As he traveled across the room, Beth studied the strong planes of his shoulders and his muscular behind. She’d never seen a more beautiful man.
Aidan opened the window and pulled the drapes together to afford them privacy yet still allow moonlight to filter into the room. The curtains danced in the breeze as he returned to her and gathered her in his arms.
He kissed her cheek. “Do you want the lights on?”
Beth cleared her throat. “Leave them off, please.”
Aidan met her timid gaze. “We’ll pace ourselves, okay? And I mean it—anything you want from me is yours. All you gotta do is ask.”
Beth always envisioned making love as a flurry of activity, with the man taking control and guiding the entire act. Considering this was her first time, she was grateful they were taking things slow and she had input as well.
She nodded. “Thank you.”
They ventured back to the bed holding hands and kissing, their passion surging in the air between them. Aidan lowered her onto the mattress. As she slid toward the headboard on her back, her nervousness returned tenfold.
“Please tell me if I do something wrong.” The words left her lips in a rush.
Aidan’s muscles shifted powerfully as he crawled over her. “I’m the only one who can fail here, little dove. Not you. Never you.”
“Don’t say that. You could never let me down.”
Aidan’s mouth curved upward. “If I live up to that, then I’ll forever be a happy man.”
He bent his arms to close the gap between them. Beth looked down at his arousal, curious as to how something so large would fit inside her. Connie and Olivia said her first time would hurt, but she didn’t care. She longed to feel him, all of him, no matter what the cost.
“Do you want to be on top?” Aidan’s question drew her attention back to his face. “That way you have more control.”
Beth’s eyes widened at the notion of her, the virgin, being in control. “No, thank you.”
Aidan grasped himself in his hand and positioned between her legs. “Keep your eyes on me.” He lowered himself until she felt him against her. “And if you ever want me to stop, just say so and I will.”
Beth nodded, trembling under the heat of his body.
Aidan took her hand, and she felt some pressure. “You okay?”
“Yes, I’m all right.” Beth didn’t realize she was holding her breath until the air rushed out of her lungs with her reply.
Aidan entered her slowly, his lips parting, his body tensing on a shudder. “Oh, baby, you feel… ahhhh…”A groan muffled the rest of his words as he penetrated deeper.
A mix of pain and ecstasy accompanied the action. Beth didn’t know whether to stop him or beg for more.
“I’m here, baby. I’m here.” Aidan’s eyes didn’t waver as he inched in further and squeezed her hand.
Beth exhaled deeply and tried to relax by focusing on the fact she was finally making love
to her soul mate.
Aidan peered at her in concern. “Are you certain you’re okay?”
“Yes.” She nodded for extra assurance and spread her legs wider, eager to feel all of him yet also nervous to experience the unavoidable ache.
Aidan pushed his hips forward gently, filling her completely. A blinding pain blasted between Beth’s legs. She cried out and squeezed her eyes shut, digging her fingernails into his back.
Aidan halted all movements. “Please look at me, baby, and tell me the truth. Do you want me to stop?”
Beth breathed deeply. When the initial sting subsided, she opened her eyes. “I’m all right. I promise.”
Aidan brushed the hair from her face, the creases in his brow deepening. “I’m so sorry, but that should be the worst of it.”
Beth’s pleasure surged to the forefront, each pulsation between her legs tightening her grip on him inside of her. “I’m fine, really. Please keep going.”
Aidan pulled back slightly and rocked forward, filling her again. This time, the pain was considerably less. As he moved inside her, pushing and pulling slowly, steadily, his gaze never faltered, nor did he drop her hand.
Once the pain disappeared, Beth lifted her hips to meet his thrusts, angling herself so he could penetrate deeper. Aidan moaned in response. Taking this as a good sign, she increased her pace, a lead he eagerly followed.
As they eased into a comfortable rhythm, Aidan’s expression twisted with pleasure and he dropped his head, whispering something against the angel pendent resting on her chest. At first, Beth couldn’t make out what he was saying. But when he repeated it, she heard it clearly on his warm, labored breath.
Heaven.
She wrapped her legs around his hips. “Please, faster.”
Sweeping his hand to the back of her head, Aidan brought his lips to hers and moved his palm over one breast. Beth gasped, desperate to feel more of him. Using her grip on his hips, she pulled him deeper inside of her and relished the resulting extraordinary sensations. Their tongues battled as she met him thrust for thrust, their slick bodies gliding together, their wanton cries echoing throughout the darkened room.
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